A More Welcoming Church Proposals for the Entrance, the Porch and Improved Toilets
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Christ Church Link February 2014 l New series Number 22 l 50p where sold A more welcoming church Proposals for the entrance, the porch and improved toilets... ➊ Disabled access New disabled access ramp to North-West door (to the left of the main West door as you face it). Level landing outside door with steps up to new landing area. Existing door modified to open outwards. Interior staircase rebuilt to widen access. ➋ Main entrance New glass “airlock” porch with glass doors. Present wooden “draught- proof” inner porch to be removed and replaced with glass inner doors. Outer doors remain unchanged, but when they’re open, the two sets of glass inner doors will afford a view right into the body of the church. ➌ Improved toilets Unused outer door to be sealed. Existing toilet area to be altered to provide a new wheelchair- accessible toilet (and possibly even a third toilet as well). Architect’s sketch of proposed works to entrance and West end (subject to revision). Courtesy of Chedburn Dudley Architects. Remaking the entrance to Christ Church There’s been wide consensus for some time that the church entrance and porch are an urgent priority. After much deliberation by the Buildings Working Group, our architect George Chedburn has prepared preliminary plans and sketches of what we might do. Disabled access at present is through the Choir Vestry. While this is legally adequate, it’s not perfect – latecomers can be embarrassed at disturbing the choir while it’s rehearsing or robing, and ideally everyone should enter by the same entrance (or as near as possible to it). What’s proposed is a ramp to the North- West door, just to the left-hand side of the main door. Since this is uphill from the main door, the ramp would have a very gentle slope, but there are issues with this option – notably, the staircase inside would have to be rebuilt to give wheelchairs room to pass, and it’s still not quite the same entrance for all. Accordingly, Church Council has asked the architect to examine whether a ramp to the main entrance would be feasible. Also proposed is renovating, repainting and panelling the entrance lobby and toilet area, and building a fully-accessible disabled toilet. A new glass “airlock” door just inside the entrance is proposed, which will help keep both the lobby and the toilet areas warmer. It will also make it possible to remove the wooden inner “draught-proof” structure Above: the glass “airlock” doors in St Swithin’s, and install glass inner doors in its place. The Walcot. At Christ Church the airlock structure existing outer doors would be unchanged, but would have a solid top with lighting in it, not glass. when they’re open, there would be a much Below: the proposed disabled access ramp to the more welcoming view through the two sets North-West door would have a gentle gradient. of glass doors right into the church. Photo and sketch courtesy of Chedburn Dudley. 2 Christ Church Link February 2014 From the Buildings Working Group Bob Siderfin, Chair of the Buildings create a more balanced, clearer musical tone. Working Group, writes: We are very interested in how this will work and are preparing a short questionnaire I’m very grateful to all who kept things going to seek your views. There will also be an with the pilot reordering scheme, lanterns, opportunity for everyone to come for a bells, boilers, etc, whilst I was recovering from briefing meeting at church with the architect my back operation! Following approval of the on Saturday 22 March, followed by guided bell restoration plans by both Christ Church visits to St Swithin’s and St Michael’s, both of Council and Trustees, a Faculty petition (the which have in recent years been reordered. Church of England equivalent of a planning Both have interesting features, although we application) has now been submitted. Council are not at all sure they are in a style suitable is also requesting an Advisory Visit from the for Christ Church. A full programme is being Diocesan Advisory Council regarding the prepared, and we hope there will be an proposals for the church entrance, porch opportunity show you the plans for the bells and toilets, the first step in the procedure as well, but I will let you know when we have towards a Faculty for those works too. had our preliminary meeting with the DAC. Meanwhile, the pilot scheme for the re- Please reserve 22 March in your diary now! ordering of the Apse and Chancel – which We have had a number of comments, for began, of course, last May when we brought and against, that have proved very helpful. the altar forward and moved the choir into Please do continue to let us have your views the Apse – comes to an end after Easter, with over and above the questionnaire mentioned a view to applying for a Faculty for the re- above. Please e-mail [email protected] ordering at the same time as the works at the or speak to me or the other members of the entrance and porch. Recently, we have been Buildings Working Group (Canon Angela, experimenting with the position of the choir, Mark Elliott, Martin Palmer, Sarah Cade and and in the next fortnight the choir stalls will Sarah and Robin Kerr). Or you may prefer to be moved away from the back of the Apse to contact the churchwardens, Council members a more forward position, which should help or Trustees. Creating Compassionate Cities Margaret Heath writes: The author and theologian Karen Armstrong has a vision of creating Compassionate Cities throughout the world. These would be places where decisions were taken according to the contributions from those of different faiths. golden rule, that is “do unto others as you In a troubled world this movement seems would they would do unto you”. They would to me a sign of great hope. To find out more, sign up to the Charter for Compassion. visit the charterforcompassion.org website or Compassion is a common theme in all Google “Charter for Compassion” and read the great religions, a uniting force. Karen has one of her many books, such as Twelve Steps studied other faiths, in particular Islam, and to a Compassionate Life. while herself a Christian frequently quotes I am no expert but there is a gleam in my other religions. I attended a short course eye as I dream that Bath might become a on Compassion and was struck by the Compassionate City. February 2014 Christ Church Link 3 The challenge: cut carbon for Lent A Carbon Fast has been called during Lent reducing food waste; using green energy; 2014 for Christians in the Diocese of Bath eating local produce; improving insulation and Wells – and throughout the South West and energy efficiency; sharing meals and – as a spiritual and practical discipline that starting a Transition Street project or makes real our responsibility for the world Caring Neighbours scheme. that has been entrusted to our care. To help you meet the challenge, resources At its autumn session, Diocesan Synod for worship, prayer, study and theological passed a motion that urged individuals and reflection, daily ideas for practical ways to their families, church schools and academies, cut your carbon usage, and tools to help and PCCs to attempt to take special steps to reduce church and domestic carbon cut their carbon footprint by 40% during the emissions will be available soon – watch for 40 days of Lent, which starts on 5 March information on the church notice boards. 2014. The commitment is a joint initiative with all the South West Dioceses. The main emphasis of the Carbon Fast is to encourage changes in personal and family lifestyle during the period of Lent. But it’s hoped that by taking part, you’ll also be encouraged to think about what changes you might be able to make over the longer term. Ideas that will be promoted include transport sharing/cycling and walking; Mothers’ Union News Sylvia M. Ayers writes: to support mums and their families all over the world. I am very grateful for the prompt responses We already have a number of booklets/ to my request for the 2014 MU Branch sub- catalogues showing us how we can buy a scrip tions, and I’m pleased to say that all have Mothering Sunday Gift and so help to now been paid. We now have six members, transform a life. The booklets are on the shelf but would welcome more, so that we will be at the back of the church for everyone to better able to share the load of any projects take, and a poster will be put on the Mothers’ Angela may wish us to undertake. If any more Union Noticeboard. I have also been sent a ladies and gentlemen would like to join us, Church Resource Pack, containing ideas for please see Margaret or Canon Angela today. the Service together with materials for our Our first task as a group will be to launch Junior Church. Therefore we now have all the our “Make a Mother’s Day” appeal. Mothering equipment to hand, so let us do our best to Sunday in 2014 will be on 30th March and, as make this a very special day. we look forward to giving thanks for our Our next monthly Corporate Communion mothers, we must also remember that will be in the Lady Chapel on Wednesday 5th millions of mums will not receive any gifts or February at 11am. It is a “said” celebration, flowers and are still in need of our support.